Hitchhiking

When people here want to get somewhere like Fairbanks or to work or even just down the road or to a bar, they just hitchhike. Because so many drivers understand the situation, and the distances are so great, a lot of people will pick hitchhikers up.

The only transportation available to those without cars (most), are some free shuttles run by employers or restaurants and a couple expensive coaches and trains to other towns in Alaska. You can call up a restaurant and ask them to come pick you up in their van, because if they didn’t have the vans it would be too much of a hassle for many people to go to them.

I’ve debated with a few people whether women should hitchhike even in a place where it is so common. It is obviously more concerning than for a man. A lot do it with a partner for added safety. Sometimes as I walk along the highway, I try to take a gander at who the drivers are, to see how often women drivers or couples come by. Not that often, as it turns out. Usually it’s a somewhat unshaven guy or group of guys in baseball caps. I’m sure they’re mostly harmless, but I keep picturing getting into a car with a guy who starts the trip off with a “You sure are purdy, ma’am….” That would be the longest ride ever, even if it were for 10 miles.